U.S. patent number 10,918,328 [Application Number 16/462,418] was granted by the patent office on 2021-02-16 for method for determining a degree of damage to hair.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The grantee listed for this patent is Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Invention is credited to Torsten Lechner, Burkhard Mueller.
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00002.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00003.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00004.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00005.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00006.png)
![](/patent/grant/10918328/US10918328-20210216-D00007.png)
United States Patent |
10,918,328 |
Mueller , et al. |
February 16, 2021 |
Method for determining a degree of damage to hair
Abstract
A method is described for determining a degree of damage to
hair, which includes: registering light which is radiated by the
hair sample while a hair sample is illuminated with light; based on
the registered light, determining first regions of the hair sample
which reflect the light with higher interference, and second
regions of the hair sample which reflect the light with lower
interference; and determining a degree of damage to the hair sample
based on the extents of the first regions and of the second
regions.
Inventors: |
Mueller; Burkhard (Duesseldorf,
DE), Lechner; Torsten (Langenfeld, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA |
Duesseldorf |
N/A |
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
(Duesseldorf, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005362841 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/462,418 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2017 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 12, 2017 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2017/082352 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
May 20, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/114459 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 28, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190350515 A1 |
Nov 21, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 20, 2016 [DE] |
|
|
10 2016 225 674 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/448 (20130101); A61B 5/0082 (20130101); G01N
21/45 (20130101); G01N 21/4738 (20130101); A45D
2044/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/00 (20060101); G01N 21/45 (20060101); G01N
21/47 (20060101); A45D 44/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;356/229,237.1,238.1-238.3,239.1-239.8,237.2-237.6,242.1,244,600,601,609,625,626,630,429-431
;132/212,221 ;600/407,476,477 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2518474 |
|
Oct 2012 |
|
EP |
|
03012728 |
|
Feb 2003 |
|
WO |
|
WO-2015166403 |
|
Nov 2015 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
EPO, International Search Report issued in International
Application No. PCT/EP2017/082352, dated Mar. 20, 2018. cited by
applicant .
Manuel Gamez-Garcia, et al.: "The effects of lipid penetration and
removal from subsurface microcavities and cracks at the human
cuticle sheath", J. Cosmet. Sci, 60, Apr. 1, 2009, pp. 85-95,
XP055458042, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:
http://www.nononsensecosmethic.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/The-effects-
-of-lipid-penetration-and-removal-from-subsurface-Microcavities.pdf,
retrieved on Mar. 9, 2018. cited by applicant .
Manuel Gamez-Garcia, et al.: "Patterns of light interference
produced by damaged cuticle cells in human hair", Journal of the
Society of Cosmetic Chemists, vol. 58, No. 4, 269-282, Jan. 1,
2007, Abstract, XP055458010, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:
http://journal.scconline.org/abstracts
/cc2007/cc058n04/p00269-p00282.html, retrieved on Mar. 9, 2018.
cited by applicant .
Sangyun Lee, et al.: "Quantitative Morphological and Biochemical
Studies on Human Downy Hairs using 3-D Quantitative Phase Imaging",
May 15, 2015, XP055458012, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1505/1505.04231.pdf. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Riddle; Christina A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lorenz & Kopf, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A method for determining a degree of damage to hair utilizing a
portable electronic device including an interference microscope and
a data processing device, the method comprising the steps of:
utilizing the interference microscope of the portable electronic
device, registering light radiated by the hair sample while the
hair sample is illuminated with light; evaluating the registered
light utilizing the data processing device of the portable
electronic device to determine first regions of the hair sample
which reflect the light with higher interference and second regions
of the hair sample which reflect the light with lower interference;
determining a degree of damage to the hair sample based on a size
of the first regions of the hair sample in relation to the whole
hair sample; and outputting a product recommendation based on the
determined degree of damage to the hair sample.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the registration of
the light further comprises recording a photograph of the hair
sample.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of evaluating
the registered light includes evaluating the registered light to
determine the first regions of the hair sample and to determine the
second regions of the hair sample by determining brighter regions
and darker regions of the photograph.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the determination of
the first regions of the hair sample comprises determining regions
of the photograph with a brightness that is greater than or equal
to a predetermined threshold.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determination of
the second regions of the hair sample comprises the determination
of regions of the photograph with a brightness that is less than or
equal to the predetermined threshold.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining the
degree of damage for a plurality of hair samples and determining,
as the degree of damage to the hair, a mean degree of damage for
the determined degrees of damage.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair sample
comprises one or more hairs.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein results from
comparative measurements are used for the determination of the
degree of damage to the hair.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degree of damage
is determined on the basis of calibration data which represent a
previously determined allocation of proportions from regions with
higher interference in hair samples to degrees of damage.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, comprising determining the
calibration data based on hair samples with known damage.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, comprising producing known
damage in the hair samples by means of predetermined stretching of
the hairs of the hair samples.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising illuminating the
hair sample with white light.
13. A method for determining an individual hair treatment
recommendation, comprising the steps of: a) recording interference
patterns for a plurality of samples of hair which have been damaged
to varying extents by stretching and relaxing the hair a varying
number of stretching/relaxing cycles; b) establishing a calibration
model which provides a correlation between the recorded
interference patterns for the plurality of samples of hair which
have been damaged and a degree of damage; c) recording interference
patterns of hair from an individual; d) comparing the recorded
interference patterns of the hair from the individual with the
calibration model to determine the degree of damage to the hair of
the individual; and e) outputting an individual recommendation
regarding the treatment of the hair of the individual which is
dependent upon the determined degree of damage.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of
recording the interference patterns of the hair from the individual
is further defined as recording a photograph of a hair sample of
the individual with the photograph including the interference
patterns of the hair from the individual.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of
recording the interference patterns for the plurality of samples of
hair which have been damaged is further defined as recording the
interference patterns for the plurality of samples of hair which
have been damaged to varying extents by stretching the hair about
20% and then relaxing the hair from about 1 second at room
temperature a varying number of stretching/relaxing cycles.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least the steps
of recording the interference patterns of hair from the individual,
comparing the recorded interference patterns of the hair from the
individual, and outputting the individual recommendation regarding
the treatment of the hair of the individual are performed utilizing
a portable electronic device including an interference microscope
and a data processing device.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the outputting step
is performed automatically utilizing the data processing device of
the portable electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a U.S. National-Stage entry under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 based on International Application No.
PCT/EP2017/082352, filed Dec. 12, 2017, which was published under
PCT Article 21(2) and which claims priority to Germany Application
No. 10 2016 225 674.2, filed Dec. 20, 2016, which are all hereby
incorporated in their entirety by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a degree
of damage to hair.
BACKGROUND
When treating hair with cosmetic products, an effect of the
product, for example an intensity of color, is strongly dependent
on the degree of damage of the hair. Thus, the determination of
damage to the hair is of great importance. Furthermore, it may be
desirable to counteract damage to the hair, wherein here again, a
determination of the degree of damage is useful in being able to
select a suitable care product. Correspondingly, opportunities for
determining the degree of damage to the hair that are effective and
comfortable for the user are desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a method for
determining a degree of damage to hair is described, which
includes: registering light which is radiated by the hair sample
while a hair sample is illuminated with light; based on the
registered light, determining first regions of the hair sample
which reflect the light with higher interference, and second
regions of the hair sample which reflect the light with lower
interference; and determining a degree of damage to the hair sample
based on the extents of the first regions and of the second
regions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the following drawing Figs., wherein like numerals denote like
elements, and:
FIG. 1 illustrates taking a hair sample.
FIG. 2 shows the construction of a hair.
FIG. 3 shows a scheme for determining a degree of damage to
hair.
FIG. 4 shows an example of an image of an individual hair which is
recorded in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a graph which represents an example of the
relationship between a degree of damage to the hair and the
proportion of light areas in the interference image.
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart which illustrates a method for
determining a degree of damage to hair.
FIG. 7 shows a scheme for determining a degree of damage to
hair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and
uses of the subject matter as described herein. Furthermore, there
is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the
preceding background or the following detailed description.
In the detailed description below, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part of the present disclosure
and which show specific embodiments for illustration purposes, in
which the present disclosure can be implemented. It should be
understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or
logical modifications may be made without deviating from the scope
of protection of the present disclosure. It should be understood
that the features in the various exemplary embodiments described
herein may be combined together, unless specifically indicated
otherwise. The following detailed description should therefore not
be construed in a limiting manner, and the scope of the present
disclosure is defined in the accompanying claims.
FIG. 1 illustrates taking a hair sample.
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a hair sample
102P is removed in order to determine a degree of damage to hair
102 of a user. The hair sample 102P may, for example, be removed at
102PL from the hair on the user's head and may be a single hair or
several hairs.
Determination of the degree of damage to hair 102 from a user may
also be carried out without removing a sample of hair 102P, by
carrying it out directly on the user's head.
Exemplary embodiments will now be described in which damage to hair
will be assessed using interference reflection microscopy.
Very fine hair structures can be investigated using interference
reflection microscopy. Interference microscopy is based on the
formation of interference which occurs when light is reflected at
the upper and lower boundaries of a structure and reflected light
from both of the boundaries interferes. This gives rise to
interference patterns which can be observed, providing information
regarding the thickness of the structure. The interference colors
which are produced enable structural measurements to be carried out
in the sub-20 nm region. By observing the interference colors
through an optical microscope, these structural measurements can be
appropriately assigned to microscopically detectable
structures.
In accordance with various embodiments, this is applied to the
cuticle of a hair.
FIG. 2 shows the construction of a hair 200.
The hair has a cuticle 201, a cortex 202 and medulla 203.
If the hair is irradiated with light 204, then a portion of the
light is reflected at the outer surface of the cuticle 201 and a
portion is reflected at the boundary between the cuticle 201 and
cortex 202 (in particular when the cuticle 201 has become lifted or
detached from the cortex 202, which typically corresponds to damage
to the hair). The reflected portions 205, 206 interfere and form an
interference pattern.
FIG. 3 shows a scheme 300 for determining a degree of damage to
hair.
The scheme includes a light source 301 which is conFlG.d configured
in a manner such that it irradiates a hair sample 102P which, for
example, includes a plurality of hairs (i.e. hair fibres) with
white light.
The hair sample 102P is, for example, disposed in or on a support
302. A camera 304, which is coupled to an interference microscope
303, is directed onto the hair sample 102P and receives light
reflected from the hair sample 102P; it takes photographs of one or
more hair fibres.
The magnification factor of the microscope is, for example, in the
range from about 10 to about 1000, for example in the range from
about 200 to about 400, and is adjustable, for example.
The scheme 300 furthermore includes a data processing device 305
which is configured in a manner such that it can evaluate the
photographs and determine damage (for example a degree of damage)
on the photographs.
The data processing device 305, for example for each of one or more
photographs, determines the type and/or number of interference
patterns for the hair by employing image analysis software,
compares it with a calibration model produced in an identical
manner, and therefore determines a degree of damage of the hair.
When a plurality of photographs has been taken, then the data
processing device 305 may, for example, produce a mean for the
degrees of damage determined for the photographs.
The interference microscopy 303, the camera 304, the data
processing device 305 and optionally also the light source 301 and
the support 302 may be formed by a smart phone which is equipped
with a microscope lens for smart phones which is also suitable for
interference microscopy. Alternatively, the interference microscope
303, the camera 304, the data processing device 305 and optionally
also the light source 301 and the support 302 may be produced by a
MILAN-enabled media player, such as the iPod Touch, or a
tablet.
As an example, hairs can be imaged at 350.times. magnification by
employing a portable electronic device (such as a smart phone, a
tablet, etc) with a microscope attachment (such as a Scrona
.mu.peek, for example) in combination with an interference slider
(such as that offered by Hirox Ltd).
The interference colors are observed by looking through an optical
microscope, and therefore these structural measurements can be
allocated to the microscopically detectable structures. Oil
immersion and an anti-glare lens may be used in order to minimize
contrast-reducing reflections at the surfaces of the glass (for
example of the support 302). A central screen may be disposed in
the path of illumination in order to block reflections form the
central region of the lens.
FIG. 4 shows an example of an image 400 of an individual hair
which, for example, is registered (i.e. recorded) by employing the
camera 304.
The image 400 may be recorded in color by the camera 304 and
converted into a black and white version by the data processing
device 305, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the camera 304
could record the image 400 in black and white.
The data processing device can determine the proportional area of
bright areas in the image 400, for example with an image processing
computer program installed on the data processing device. In this
regard, a brightness threshold may be predetermined and the data
processing device detects areas with a brightness lower than the
brightness threshold as dark, and areas with the brightness higher
than the brightness threshold as bright. The brightness threshold
is, for example, defined with reference to the brightness of the
dark regions of the photograph (for example as a factor of the
brightness of the dark regions).
The proportional area of the interfering hair structures, i.e. the
proportion of bright regions with respect to the total area of the
hair in the photograph, is between about 1% and about 50%, for
example, for example between about 5% and about 30%.
The data processing device can then calculate the degree of damage
from the determined proportional area of bright areas, for example
with the aid of a table, which allocates degrees of damage to the
proportional area ranges.
For calibration (i.e. in order to draw up such a table, for
example), as an example, hair from hair samples is stretched
through a predetermined tensile elongation of the hair and is
damaged thereby. As an example, the degree of stretching for all
hair samples is kept constant and the number of
stretching/relaxation cycles is varied in order to obtain different
degrees of damage, for example in the range of 1 to about 1000
stretching/relaxation cycle(s). The resulting damage to the hair
(depending on the number of stretching/relaxation cycles) is
examined using interference microscopy as described above and
analysed using image processing software which determines the
proportional area of the interfering surfaces of the hair (which
show up as significantly brighter than the remainder of the hair).
The determined proportional areas are a measure of the degree of
damage to the hair and can be allocated a degree of damage (which,
for example, corresponds to ranges of numbers of
stretching/relaxation cycles), in order to calibrate the data
processing device.
As an example, in order to carry out calibration, hair is damaged
by stretching it by about 20% and then relaxing it for about 1
second at room temperature. This process is carried out multiple
times. As an example, for every 10 hairs, the following numbers of
stretches are carried out:
1
3
10
30
100
300
1000
Next, all of the hairs from one group (i.e. the hairs which were
subjected to the same number of stretches) were put under the
microscope and the proportion of bright (interfering) areas was
determined using image analysis software; subsequently, the mean of
the hairs in the group was determined. In this manner, proportional
areas could be allocated to the damage to the hair which had
occurred.
A degree of damage--expressed as the number of stretches at about
20%--can be determined for each fraction of bright areas by
interpolation of the proportion of bright areas so that, for
example, a graph is obtained such as that shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 shows a graph 501 which represents an example of the
relationship between a degree of damage to hair, increasing from
left to right along the x axis 502, and the proportion of bright
areas in the interference image, increasing from bottom to top
along the y axis 503.
The degree of damage is assigned stages of damage as shown, for
example, in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Degree of damage, as number of stretches
Stage of damage 0 to 3 Low 4 to 10 Medium 11 to 100 Severe More
than 100 Very severe
As an example, 2 to about 20 stages of damage may be defined, for
example 2 to 4.
The damage to hair of test hair (i.e. hair the degree of damage of
which is to be determined) is determined in accordance with the
calibration curve as shown by way of example in FIG. 5 and stored
in the form of a table, for example (online, for example). From the
damage to the hair (for example for each stage of damage in
accordance with Table 1), the data processing device 205 outputs a
product recommendation, for example based on empirical values, in
turn based on empirical tables, for example, and proposes them to
the user. If the data processing device 305 is a smart phone or
tablet, the smart phone or tablet shows the user a product
recommendation on its display, for example. Alternatively, in the
case in which the data processing device 305 is a smart phone or
tablet, the user could be told the product recommendation by
employing a speaker.
As an example, the data processing device 305 will recommend
products with a greater conditioning power for severely damaged
hair, and products with moderate or lesser conditioning power for
less severely damaged hair. The conditioning power may be delivered
by known care products such as quaternary nitrogen compounds (for
example hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride), cationic polymers
(for example those with the INCI (International Nomenclature of
Cosmetic Ingredients) name poly quaternium-10) or silicones (for
example as named by the INCI). In particular, dicarboxylic acids
may also be suitable in this regard.
The determination of the degree of damage and the associated
product recommendation is, for example, carried out automatically
by the data processing device 305, for example by software which is
installed on the data processing device, for example a smart phone,
a tablet or a PC.
The data processing device 305 determines the product to be
recommended, for example, based on a database which contains a
product recommendation for each degree of damage. An example is
shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Stage of damage Product recommendation Low
Product 1 for gentle hair care, containing
hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (0.2%) Moderate Product 2 for
moderate hair care, containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride
(0.2%) + polyquaternium-10 (0.5%) Severe Product 3 for intense hair
care, containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (0.2%) +
polyquaternium-10 (0.5%) + dimethicone (1%) Very severe Product 4
for very intense hair care, containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium
chloride (0.2%) + polyquaternium-10 (0.5%) + dimethicone (1%) +
succinic acid (1%)
In summary, in accordance with various embodiments, a method for
determining a degree of damage to hair is provided which is as
illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart 600.
In 601, during illumination of a hair sample of hair with light,
light which is radiated by the hair sample is registered.
In 602, based on the registered light, first regions of the hair
sample are determined which reflect the light with higher
interference and second regions of the hair sample are determined
which reflect the light with lower interference.
In 603, a degree of damage of the hair sample is determined, based
on the extents of the first regions and of the second regions (for
example based on the total extent of the first and/or the total
extent of the second regions, for example based on the proportional
area of the total extent of the first regions over the total
surface area of the hair sample or based on the ratio of the total
extent of the first regions to the total extent of the second
regions).
In other words, in accordance with various embodiments, a method
for the determination (and subsequent reduction, for example) of
damage to hair is provided, which is based on an analysis with the
aid of patterns recorded on the surface of one or more hairs with
the aid of interference microscopy. In this regard, the severity of
damage to a hair (or a plurality of hairs) is determined, which
establishes how large the regions of the hair are in which high
interference occurs (for example in relation to the regions or to
the total region of the hair being observed). A high interference
may arise, for example, when the cuticle lifts from the cortex,
which is indicative of damage to the hair. The hair is, for
example, illuminated with white light (for example daylight) and
the occurrence of interference in the various regions of the hair
is investigated in reflected light.
It should be noted that the determination of the damage based on
the ratio of the extent of the first regions to the total area can
also be seen as being based on the extent of the second regions,
because the extent of the first regions becomes smaller as the
second regions become larger (the sum of the extents of the first
regions and the extents of the second regions is, for example, the
total area, if appropriate plus regions which are associated with
neither with the first regions nor the second regions, for example
regions with a medium interference).
The method in accordance with FIG. 6 may be carried out with a
portable electronic device such as a smart phone, for example, and
thus constitutes a simple opportunity for the user to determine
damage to the hair.
The method in accordance with FIG. 6 is, for example, carried out
by a scheme as illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 shows a scheme 700 for determining a degree of damage to
hair.
The scheme 700 includes a lamp 701 which is configured to
illuminate a hair sample 702 of the hair with light 703, and a
light registering device 705 which is configured so as to register
light 704 which is radiated from the hair sample.
Furthermore, the scheme includes a data processing device 706 which
is configured to determine, based on the registered light, first
regions of the hair sample which reflect the light with higher
interference and second regions of the hair sample which reflect
the light with lower interference, and to determine a degree of
damage of the hair sample based on the extent of the first regions
and the extent of the second regions.
It should be noted that exemplary embodiments which are described
in connection with the method for determining a degree of damage to
hair are analogously applicable to the method and scheme for
determining a degree of damage to hair, and vice versa.
Based on the determined degree of damage, an objectively determined
recommendation may furthermore be provided to the consumer (for
example automatically via a smart phone) as to which products are
suitable for the hair, for example to compensate for the
ascertained damage.
Exemplary embodiments will be described below:
Exemplary embodiment 1 is a method for determining a degree of
damage to hair as illustrated in FIG. 6.
Exemplary embodiment 2 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 1, wherein the light is registered using an interference
microscope.
Exemplary embodiment 3 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the registration of the light includes
recording a photograph of the hair sample.
Exemplary embodiment 4 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the determination of the
first regions and the determination of the second regions includes
determining brighter regions and darker regions of the
photograph.
Exemplary embodiment 5 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the determination of the
first regions includes determining regions of the photograph with a
brightness that is higher than a predetermined threshold or greater
than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
Exemplary embodiment 6 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 5, wherein the determination of the second regions
includes the determination of regions of the photograph with a
brightness that is less than or equal to the predetermined
threshold or less than the predetermined threshold.
Exemplary embodiment 7 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 6, including determination of the degree
of damage for a plurality of hair samples and determining, as the
degree of damage to the hair, a mean degree of damage for the
determined degrees of damage.
Exemplary embodiment 8 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the hair sample includes one
or more hairs.
Exemplary embodiment 9 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 8, wherein results from comparative
measurements are used for the determination of the degree of damage
to the hair.
Exemplary embodiment 10 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the degree of damage is
determined on the basis of calibration data which represent a
previously determined allocation of proportions from regions with
higher interference in hair samples to degrees of damage.
Exemplary embodiment 11 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 10, including determining the calibration data based on
hair samples with known damage.
Exemplary embodiment 12 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 11, including producing known damage in the hair samples
by employing predetermined stretching of the hairs of the hair
samples.
Exemplary embodiment 13 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 12, including illuminating the hair
sample with white light.
Exemplary embodiment 14 is a method in accordance with one of
exemplary embodiments 1 to 13, further including selecting a
user-specific means with the aid of the determined degree of
damage.
Exemplary embodiment 15 is a method in accordance with exemplary
embodiment 14, further including displaying the selected
user-specific means.
Exemplary embodiment 16 is a scheme for determining a degree of
damage to hair, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
In a further embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method
for determining an individual hair treatment recommendation,
exemplified by the steps of: a) recording interference patterns for
a plurality of samples of hair which have been damaged to varying
extents; b) establishing a calibration model which produces a
correlation between interference patterns and the degree of damage;
c) recording interference patterns of the hair from an individual;
d) determining a degree of damage to the hair of that individual
with the aid of the calibration model; e) outputting an individual
recommendation regarding the treatment of the hair of the
individual which is dependent upon the determined degree of
damage.
For example, the individual treatment recommendation includes a
recommendation of hair care products. It is optional for the method
for determining an individual hair treatment recommendation to
further include a step for initiating ordering of a recommended
hair care product which is commercially available. For example, the
individual treatment recommendation includes advising or
discouraging the individual to use/from using hair care products
which the individual identifies with the aid of QR codes, NFC
chips, barcodes or RFID chips.
Alternatively, the individual treatment recommendation may include
advising the individual to use hair care products which are
individually produced for the individual and to initiate an
ordering process, for example by calling up a website of a
manufacturer of individual hair care products.
For example, the calibration model from b) exists as stored
information on a local data carrier or in a cloud. As such, step c)
may be carried out at a hairdressers, at a point of sale (POS) of
hair treatment means or in the private domain.
Step c) may be controlled by a smart terminal such as, for example,
a smart phone, a MILAN-enabled media player or a tablet, for
example via a pre-installed app.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the
foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a
vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that
the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only
examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,
or configuration of the various embodiments in any way. Rather, the
foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the
art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary
embodiment as contemplated herein. It being understood that various
changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements
described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the
scope of the various embodiments as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References